Shed your worries and embrace a fresh start as we welcome the Year of the Wood Snake for the 2025 Lunar New Year! Often referred to as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, this is a sacred time in many Asian countries and communities around the world. It is a time to welcome change and the possibilities it brings. In fact, the Year of the Wood Snake is believed to be a time for growth, creativity, and introspection!
The Lunar New Year is one of the oldest, culturally rich celebrations in world history. Its origins date back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty in China, originating from agrarian rituals and celebrations marking the end of winter and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle. If you’re interested in a deep dive, we invite you to read our in-depth blog on the unique history and traditions tied to the Chinese New Year.
Here at Harney & Sons, we look to these Chinese traditions as inspiration and connection to a region with such a rich and enduring tea history. To this day, tea is more than a beverage in China – it’s a symbol of harmony, health, and culture. We take pride in designing a new Lunar New Year tea tin annually. Our 2025 tin showcases two slithering green snakes, reflecting the Year of the Wood Snake, which is also known as the Year of the Green Snake, as wood is symbolically linked to the color green in Chinese culture.
The flavors of our Lunar New Year tea don’t change from year to year as it’s based on the profile of Nian Gao, a Chinese New Year cake made of rice flour, brown sugar, coconut milk, and other ingredients to create a caramel-like sweetness. Nian Gao is eaten to symbolize growth, progress, and the promise of a better year ahead. It is often featured as the centerpiece of the New Year’s feast, so it seemed fitting to mirror that tradition by incorporating toasted rice, coconut pieces, sesame seeds, coconut, and caramel flavors into our 2025 Lunar New Year tea.
As for the 2025 Chinese Zodiac or Lunar New Year animal, the snake carries a much different meaning in China than it does in the Western states. Here in the U.S., calling someone a snake likely means they’re sneaky or untrustworthy. The sentiment about serpents is reflected in media as well… just ask Harry Potter fans how they feel about the Slytherin house.
However, in ancient Chinese traditions, the snake was highly respected, holding sacred status and becoming one of the earliest totems of the Chinese nations. Today, in some places in China, people still believe that a snake found in their courtyard can bring them good luck!
The Year of the Wood Snake is rare because it takes 60 years for an animal sign to reappear within the same element. The last Year of the Wood Snake was in 1965, predating Harney & Sons by nearly 20 years! This time around the sun, we’ve come prepared. You can bring good fortune to your friends and family as well with our Lunar New Year 2025 Gift set. This limited-edition gift contains this year’s commemorative tin, filled with 30 sachets of tea, and a cube of Sparkling Stars, sour and sweet gummies. It’s a delicious way to ring in the Lunar New Year together!
